Lentils With Bulgur Wheat And Caramelized Onions Recipes

LENTILS AND BULGUR WHEAT WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat and add the onion slices.
• Cook for 45 minutes, stirring frequently, until brown and caramelized.
• If they begin to burn, reduce heat to medium or even medium-low. Keep them moving!
• Remove onions from pan and set aside.
• Add lentils and water to the same pan and boil for 15 minutes, uncovered.
• Stir in bulgur, salt and pepper then bring to a simmer.
• Place a lid on the pan then reduce heat to low.
• Cook for 15 additional minutes then fluff with a fork.
• Spread pilaf on a platter and top with caramelized onions and chopped parsley. Serve with plain yogurt.

LEBANESE LENTILS, RICE AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS (MUJADARA)

Steps:

• Throw the lentils into a medium saucepan. Fill with enough cold water to cover the lentils by about an inch. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn down to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, as the lentils cook, grab a large skillet. Pop it over medium-high heat and add the oil. Allow the oil to warm for a minute, then drop in the cumin seeds and cracked peppercorns and cook, shaking the pan once in a while until the cumin seeds darken a touch, about 1 minute.
• Add the onions, sprinkle with a dash of salt and cook until they turn dark caramel brown, stirring often. This will take about 15 minutes. Splash the onions with a little water if they stick to the bottom of the pan. You'll know they're done both by their deep chestnut color and by the slight crispiness developing on some of the onions.
• Using a slotted spoon or spatula, remove about half of the onions to a paper towel-lined plate; these are for garnish later. Sprinkle in the ground cumin, cayenne and then add the cinnamon stick; saute about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring often (but gently so you don't break the rice!) until some rice grains start to brown. Quickly, add the cooked lentils, 3 cups of water and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt; bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low so that the pan is at a simmer, cover and cook 30 minutes. The water should be completely evaporated and rice should be tender. (If there's still too much water in the bottom, put the lid back on and cook for another 5 minutes.)
• Turn off the heat, keep the lid on, and allow the rice to steam undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts, if using, in a small skillet over medium-low heat, shaking often, about 5 minutes.
• Taste the rice for seasoning. Serve with the reserved caramelized onions, toasted pine nuts, if using, and a little squeeze of lemon juice. I also like to serve this with some dollops of Greek yogurt.

LENTILS WITH BULGUR WHEAT AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS - ... RECIPE

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine the lentils and water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and simmer until still firm and almost done, 15 to 18 minutes. Add the bulgur wheat and 1/2 teaspoon salt, cover, and remove from the heat. Let sit until the bulgur is tender and the water is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes, adding more water if the wheat seems dry. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring, until very soft, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, cinnamon, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and allspice, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the lentil and bulgur wheat mixture and stir well to combine. Remove from the heat. In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized to a very dark brown color, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat. Transfer the lentil and bulgur wheat mixture to a platter and top with the caramelized onions. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, to taste. Serve either hot or at room temperature, with pita bread. For the Pita Breads: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/4 cup of the water. Set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Into a large bowl, sift 5 cups of the flour and the salt, and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast into the center well and mix the yeast into the flour, working in the remaining water. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead into a soft, pliable dough. Continue working the dough until it is smooth and shiny, 10 to 15 minutes, adding more flour as necessary. Knead 2 tablespoons of the oil into the dough and work the dough over itself into a smooth ball. Pour the remaining tablespoon of oil into a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, cover with a damp kitchen cloth, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees at least 30 minutes before baking. Lightly oil a heavy baking sheet. Punch down the dough and lightly knead for 2 minutes. Divide into 8 to 12 equal portions, depending upon your preference, and roll into balls. Flatten and roll with a rolling pin to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place on a lightly floured surface, cover with a lightly floured kitchen cloth and let rise until doubled in size, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, about 5 minutes. Turn and bake on the second side, about 4 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on wire racks. Repeat with the remaining dough. (Makes 8 to 12 breads) This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

LENTILS WITH BULGUR

Steps:

• If time allows, soak the lentils in cold water to cover for an hour or more (overnight is fine). Drain.
• Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large deep saucepan over medium heat. A minute later, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute or so. Add the jalapeños, tomato, and cumin and cook until the tomato is soft, 2 or 3 minutes.
• Add the bulgur and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the stock and lentils. Bring to a boil, then cover and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers steadily; cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils and bulgur are tender and all the liquid is absorbed. If the mixture threatens to dry out, add another 1/2 cup liquid and continue cooking; if the mixture is too wet, raise the heat a bit and cook, uncovered and stirring, until it dries out.
• While the lentil mixture is cooking, add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil to a skillet and cook the onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until deep brown, caramelized, and on the verge of blackening, at least 20 minutes. Stir in most of the mint and remove from the heat.
• When the lentil-bulgur mixture is done, garnish it with the onion and remaining mint and serve.

BULGUR AND GREEN LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Bring first 3 ingredients to boil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Partially cover pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer until lentils are almost tender, about 15 minutes. Mix in bulgur, salt, and spices. Cover; simmer until water is absorbed, about 10 minutes longer. Season with pepper. Discard bay leaves. Serve topped with almonds and reserved onions.